October 17 – 31

As planned, we spent the week in Durango interacting with wee humans, their adult wranglers and assorted family and friends. A week with the grandkids is enchanting – and at times – exhausting. It involves crafts, leaf fights, trips to the pool and Sonic for ice cream, avoiding hot lava, reading books, officiating disputes, playing with cars, building (and destroying) towers, airplane rides, spinning and running around, snuggles, and on, and on, and on.

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The highlight of the week came at the end. Since Oliver’s birthday wish was to go camping and bike riding, a large group of family and friends made the trip to Hartman Rocks outside of Gunnison. Wind, rain and overnight temps in the teens did not detract from the fun.

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All good things must come to an end. On Sunday we bid adieu to Chris and Donna, Meghan, Rob and Emma, Katie and Kevin, Aaron, Vanessa, Oliver and Kiri. Two long days of driving brought us to Sioux Falls…home of the sestra Sandy, broheme-in-law Blair and nephew Seth. We enjoyed several days of jocularity, good food, games, an evening with some of Blair’s family, and over due car maintenance. Sandy even went out of her way to cook some of my favorite foods in honor of a recent birthday. Good stuff.

Some folks like to poke fun at South Dakota (me included). Sioux Falls is really a lovely community. We spent a few hours one day cycling a bike trail that connects a whole string of parks and green ways around the city. Very nice.

Friday morning we hit the road yet again. This time with new tires freshly aligned, new brakes up front and a much lighter wallet. We made a brief stop at the Spam Museum in Austin, MN (yes – there is such a thing – it was a hoot) Next stop – my parents childhood home – Tomah, WI. Although we weren’t there to see family. We spent a few hours catching up with good friends Corey and Mandy who had moved there from Flagstaff.

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We ended our long travel day at the madre’s home in Rhinelander. We’re planning to spend the next two weeks enjoying family and friends here in Wisconsin prior to attending a Packer game at Lambeau Field. Author/journalist Tim Cahill said, “A journey is best measured in friends, not in miles.” That has definitely been true of this part of our journey, and we’re looking forward to continuing that theme. Goodbye October – it’s been fun. Hello November! Until next time STC!